On this date in the Sit-Down Strike: 75 years ago, Michigan banned the sale of all alcohol in Genesee County

FLINT, Michigan -- Prohibition returned to Genesee County 75 years ago today as the state banned the sale of liquor, beer and wine in response to police reports of increasing drunkeness around one of the General Motors' plants involved in the Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37.

"The action was taken as a result of the increasing cases of drunkeness in the vicinity of Fisher Body No. 1 plant," The Flint Journal reported at the time. "With scores of beer gardens and a liquor dispensary in the vicinity, disorder has been the rule rather than the exception since the strike situation developed."

Genesee County Sheriff Thomas Wolcott requested the state Liquor Control Commission take the action "after the riotous disturbances" at Fisher No. 1 a day earlier.

Inside the Fisher No. 1 and No. 2 plants, sit-down strikers remained in defiance of a judge's order that strikers leave the factories

"Advance word of the return of prohibition reached beer gardens and liquor dispensaries about 10 o'clock Thursday night and a rush began to prepare for the emergency," The Journal reported. "Specially designated dispensers of package liquor reported a heavy flow of business.

"Many called the sheriff's office to inquire if they would be violating the order by stocking up with a supply of liquor before the places were closed. They were told they would be within their right."